Pedestrians walking along Rainier S and 51st Avenue have been greeted by royalty the past two weeks, in the form of king and queen sculptures. The pair of oversized chess pieces are designed by South Seattle artist Peter Reiquam, who worked with community members (alongside SDOT Safe Routes to Schools, and Seattle Arts and Culture) to develop art work that reflected the unique spirit, character, and pride of the Rainier Beach area. The pieces are a tribute to the decade-old chess club ran by the beloved Det. Cookie, and represent the power of both the king and queen, patience, and strategic thinking. An official sculpture dedication ceremony will take place on May 7th at 11am. Continue reading News Gleams: The King and Queen of Rainier Beach, Cultural Center Gets a New Name, and City Aims to Lower Barriers for Civic Engagement→

(Disclosure: I am a member of the Democratic Party in South Seattle, and am a supporter of Bernie Sanders. On March 26, 2016, I ran an area caucus (comprised of six precinct caucuses) on Beacon Hill.)

INTRODUCTION

The 2016 Democratic Caucuses, held in Washington State on Saturday, March 26, from roughly 10:00 a.m. until noon, have generated considerable debate. The issues raised can be divided into several categories: attendance and demographics; the merits of a caucus versus a primary election system; timing; and the ethics of superdelegates. This article explores each of these topics. Continue reading Dissecting the Washington State Caucuses→

“Cookies and water” was written with chalk on the side of the shelter today
The kids set up a lemonade stand-esque business model
Bought corner store cookies with couch cushion coins
Flipped off brand Oreos at 300% Continue reading Sunday Stew: Cookies and Water→

This fall our region’s leaders will be asking us to vote on Sound Transit 3 (ST3), a transportation funding package that expands service through King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. It will cost taxpayers about $27 billion in new taxes, but if the measure passes, it will increase access to affordable housing and job centers throughout the region. More importantly, we have an opportunity to change Sound Transit policies and assure communities that future development happens in an equitable way. Continue reading Sound Transit 3 Must Align Transportation Goals with Equitable Development Goals→